From Dead Pregnant Bride to Ruthless Don

Isabella’s POV

As soon as we arrived at the villa, I took my room key and slipped inside without a word. When Julian knocked later and asked me to join them for dinner, I declined, saying I needed to rest.

“Please, Bella,” he said, stepping closer and reaching for my hand.

I shifted just enough to avoid his touch. Knowing he’d spent most of the drive kissing Vivienne made the thought of being near him unbearable.

“Come with us. I’ve prepared a big surprise for you.”

A big surprise. Was this the proposal he’d mentioned?

Proposing tonight would be rushed—but from their perspective, it made perfect sense. If Julian proposed now, I could announce our engagement at my birthday party. Everything would move faster.

Vivienne would being named the Don of Vale in three days and took over the entire family business.

Julian noticed my silence and frowned. “Bella?”

I looked up at him again and forced a small smile. “Alright,” I said. “I’ll go.”

…

When I stepped into the hotel restaurant, everything had been staged. From ceiling to floor, the place glowed with forced romance. Julian had clearly gone all out.

“You looked beautiful tonight, Bella.” Julian walked over me, smiling.

We sat down and began our so-called romantic dinner.

Right after dessert, a group of flower girls entered, singing and dancing. I widened my eyes, feigning surprise.

Julian smiled, stood, and walked to my side. He knelt and opened a velvet box.

“Will you marry me, Isabella Vale?”

I stared at the diamond, barely holding back a cold laugh. Instead of answering, I reached out, took the ring, and examined it closely.

Julian took that as a yes.

He looked ecstatic. And I didn’t correct him.

Back in the room, I went straight to the bed. Julian stayed with me at first. I pretended to fall asleep, and sure enough, moments later, I heard the door open and quietly close again.

The instant he was gone, I sat up and reached for my phone.

Before dinner with Julian, I’d slipped into Vivienne’s room across the hall and planted two hidden cameras. It would’ve been foolish to think they wouldn’t do something interesting tonight. I wanted proof—not just for them, but for myself. Proof that I hadn’t imagined any of it.

The moment the live feed came on, my suspicions were confirmed.

Vivienne was on the bed—with Julian and Sebastian.

Last night hadn’t scared them at all. If anything, it had only made them bolder.

Vivienne lay between them, loud and unrestrained. They moved together shamelessly, as if no one else existed.

I thought watching this would break me. That seeing my boyfriend and my best friend betray me so openly would hurt.

But all I felt was relief.

I hadn’t been wrong.

They really had gone behind my back. Turned me into a joke.

Only now, the joke was on them.

I didn’t watch until the end. I saved the footage and shut the feed down.

It was nearly three in the morning when Julian finally slipped back into the room and climbed into bed beside me.

I clenched my teeth, forcing myself not to move.

Just two more days, Bella. You can endure this.

…

When I woke up, Julian was already dressed.

“Vivienne wants to go shopping for your birthday present today,” he said casually. “Feel like tagging along?”

“Sure.” I agreed even though I tried to vomit when I saw Julian’s face.

Vivienne looked extra energetic today. Probably because last night’s proposal had reassured her— or maybe it was the way Julian and Sebastian had soothed her, with their bodies.

Either way, she looked smug. Practically glowing. Like the world already belonged to her.

Inside a luxury boutique, Vivienne’s gaze locked onto a diamond necklace.

I cleared my throat. “Is that the gift you’re planning to give me for my birthday?”

Her smile flickered. Julian shot her a quick look before she recovered.

“Yes,” she said lightly. “Do you like it?”

I glanced at the price tag—six zeros.

Could Vivienne really afford it? And even if she could… would she spend that much on me?

Well, that was exactly what made it irresistible.

“I love it,” I said softly. “It would go perfectly with the ring.”

The implication landed perfectly.

Vivienne didn’t hesitate again.

After all, she believed she would soon be the Don of Vale.

“Wrap it up,” she said. “I’ll write a check.” She pulled out the Vale checkbook and signed her name. The sales associate beamed.

If only Vivienne knew.

She would never become the Don. And soon, she wouldn’t even belong to the Vale.

Would she still be smiling then?